Key facts

Three years full time, or four years full time with professional placement year.

UCAS codes

Institution Code: B20

Course Code: V100 or S171

Campus Code: A,BSU

Entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. Typical offers include A level grades BCC- CCC with a Grade C in History or related subject preferred.

View typical offers for more information.

A challenging and dynamic approach to the study of history and its impact on the contemporary world.

A rich variety of historical topics and approaches.

Committed, expert and friendly staff.

Combine the study of the past with an understanding of its application in the present.

History is an exciting and challenging discipline, whether studied as a single honours degree or as a component of a combined award. It provides an essential foundation for exploring fundamental questions about beliefs, values and identity; it is impossible to comprehend the contemporary world without it.

We offer you the opportunity to study a wide range of sources, periods and themes. Our teaching offers local, national and international perspectives, broad surveys, and in-depth study.

You can study history as a single honour degree, or in combination with subjects such as English Literature, Philosophy and Ethics, Geography or Heritage.

“I loved the fact that the course was really challenging, and gave me the opportunity to learn about a wide and varied period of history. The tutors were always friendly, encouraging and approachable. It was a life changing experience, and the best thing I have ever done.”

What you'll learn

Overview

We combine the academic study of history with an investigation into its public role and purpose – heritage and memory; people and places. You’ll gain broad historical skills and expertise, including:

how to read historical texts;

how to use historical sources – visual, written, material;

how to discuss and debate historical subjects.

Our modules range from the study of broad historical periods to focused explorations of specific topics. These reflect the research interests of our staff, and their most recent investigations and discoveries.

You’ll graduate with a wide range of personal, intellectual and transferable skills, relevant both to academic study and your ambitions beyond university.

Course structure

Year oneWe provide the foundations for you to develop historical skills and expertise. At the heart of this is a core module, which can be accompanied by a range of optional modules. You may cover, for example, the social history of 16th and 17th century England, or politics and people in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Year twoWe offer you the chance to specialise a little more. You’ll build on and extend your knowledge and develop your confidence to deal with new subjects and approaches. Underpinning this, you’ll explore the history and philosophy of our subject: how ideas about the past and its study have changed over time, and how the study of history has influenced and been influenced by wider changes in society.

Year threeThe focus of the third year will be on your dissertation. You’ll identify and develop your own historical question, conduct research and prepare an extended piece of writing. New topics are offered through optional modules, such as political, social and cultural history; public history; and the impact of the past on the modern world.

How will I be assessed?

Work is assessed in a variety of ways including essays, research papers, group presentations, projects, portfolio and reports. There are timed assessments and end of year examinations in some modules. Different assessment methods allow you to develop and demonstrate different skills, many of which are also useful in other settings, such as planning ahead, working to deadlines, and managing priorities.

How will I be taught?

We run lectures, seminars and workshops. You’ll also attend individual tutorials, where you might rehearse ideas for a project or piece of research, or to talk through how you did in an assignment – and what you might do differently next time.

As well as the history team, you can take advantage of the learning support provided across the University, whether to develop your writing skills or to learn how to use new techniques and technologies.

Opportunities

Study abroad

Our students make good use of the opportunities to study abroad through Erasmus and other programmes, usually in the second year, with one of our many partner universities. You’ll be able to find out more about this during your first year, including meeting up with students who have already benefited from the experience.

Students opting to join one of the study abroad programmes might find themselves in Denmark, Spain, Australia or North America. We have developing partnerships with universities in China and the Far East.

Field trips

Our field trips take us a few miles away to Bristol and its historic dockside, to major national museums and galleries, and further afield to Rome or Florence. Linked to our teaching, trips change from year to year, but there are always opportunities to learn outside the seminar room.

Work placements, industry links and internships

Placement modules prepare you for the world of work. We have an extensive network of partners across local, regional and national organisations, and can help you make the most of the opportunity to work with them.

You’ll have the opportunity to work on projects with our partners in the city and region. This might involve research in a historic house, oral history projects, or devising public events and exhibitions. Through these projects you’ll work collaboratively, manage your time, develop project management skills, and prepare for a future career.

Careers

Our history graduates have entered careers in:

Education (at all levels)

The police force

Social services

the charitable sector

Events management

The National Health Service

Museums and heritage

You may also choose to continue your studies at postgraduate level.

Professional placement year

Overview

This optional placement year provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for, and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.

By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of “with Professional Placement Year” to your degree title.

Preparation

Before your Professional Placement Year, you'll work to secure your placement, constructing a development plan with your module leader and your placement coordinator from our Careers and Employability team.

How will I be assessed?

On your return to University for your final year, you'll submit your Placement Portfolio, detailing your development on your placement.

Facilities and resources

Where the subject is taught

History is taught at the Newton Park campus, mainly in the outstanding Commons building. The Campus is set in an 18th century landscape, including a fortified manor house – otherwise known as the The Castle – a lake and pavilions. Our campus is a historic resource in its own right, and simply beautiful.

Access to HE courses - Typical offers for applicants with Access to HE will be the Access to HE Diploma or Access to HE Certificate (60 credits, 45 of which must be Level 3, including 30 at merit or higher).

English Language Requirements for International and EU ApplicantsIELTS 6.0 - for visa nationals, with a minimum score of IELTS 5.5 in each element.

How do I apply?

Ready to apply? Click the 'apply now' button in the centre of this page.